PBA Draft 2024: Complete Guide to Top Prospects and Team Predictions

2025-11-15 15:01

As I sit down to analyze the 2024 PBA Draft landscape, I can't help but reflect on how much the league's approach to talent development has evolved over the years. Having followed Philippine basketball for nearly two decades, I've witnessed numerous draft classes come and go, but this year feels particularly significant. The controversy surrounding the league's treatment of women's basketball officials has added an unexpected layer to this draft discussion. When the PBA announced it would use women's games as training grounds for officials aspiring to work men's contests, the backlash was immediate and justified. This move inadvertently highlights how the league sometimes struggles with recognizing talent across gender lines, which makes me wonder if similar biases might affect how they evaluate prospects in this draft.

Looking at the top prospects this year, I'm genuinely excited about the depth of talent available. My sources tell me there are at least 15 players who could make immediate impacts on PBA rosters, which is remarkable considering last year's draft only had about 8 truly NBA-ready talents. Just yesterday, I was reviewing game footage of Justin Arana, and his development over the past season has been nothing short of phenomenal. The 6'7" big man from Letran has improved his shooting percentage to what I believe was around 58% last conference, and his defensive instincts have matured beyond his years. What really impresses me about Arana is his basketball IQ - he reads double teams better than any big man I've seen come through the draft in recent memory.

The point guard class this year is particularly strong, with Encho Serrano and Juan Gomez de Liano leading the pack. Having watched Serrano develop since his high school days, I can confidently say he's the most pro-ready guard in this draft. His speed in transition is elite, and I've clocked him completing full-court drives in under 3 seconds during practice sessions. Meanwhile, Gomez de Liano brings that creative flair that I personally love watching - his no-look passes remind me of a young Scottie Thompson. Though some scouts worry about his consistency, I think his playoff experience abroad gives him an edge that other prospects simply can't match.

Team predictions are always tricky because front offices can be unpredictable, but based on my conversations with insiders, I'm hearing Terrafirma will likely go with Arana as their first pick. They've been desperate for a dominant big man since Christian Standhardinger departed, and Arana fits their system perfectly. What worries me about this pick though is whether Terrafirma has the proper development system to maximize his potential - we've seen them struggle with developing raw talent in the past. Meanwhile, Blackwater seems poised to select either Serrano or Gomez de Liano, depending on who's available. Their backcourt has been inconsistent, ranking near the bottom in assists last season with what I recall was approximately 18.2 per game compared to the league average of 22.5.

The second round presents some fascinating possibilities. I'm particularly high on James Kwekuteye from San Beda - his shooting stroke is pure, and I've seen him hit 85% of his free throws during crucial moments. At 6'3", he has the size to compete immediately, and his defensive improvements this past season have been noticeable. Another sleeper pick I love is Rhayyan Amsali from NU. While he's undersized for a forward at 6'4", his motor never stops, and I've counted him grabbing offensive rebounds against players 4-5 inches taller throughout the NCAA season.

What makes this draft class special, in my opinion, is the balance between immediate contributors and developmental projects. Unlike last year's draft, which was heavy on guards, this class has quality players at every position. The center position is particularly deep - beyond Arana, there are at least three other legitimate 6'7" or taller prospects who could develop into starters within two years. This is crucial for a league where size has always been at a premium.

The controversy around using women's games as stepping stones for officials does make me question whether the PBA fully appreciates the women's game as its own product rather than just a development league. This mindset might extend to how they evaluate talent overall. From my perspective, the league would benefit from recognizing that basketball excellence exists beyond just the men's division. Some of the most fundamentally sound players I've ever watched came from the women's league, and their understanding of team dynamics often surpasses what I see in many men's games.

As draft night approaches, I'm most curious to see how the mid-first round plays out. Teams like NLEX and Magnolia, picking at 5 and 6 respectively, could dramatically alter their fortunes with the right selections. NLEX needs scoring punch - they averaged just 89.3 points per game last conference, and I think they'll be looking at shooters like Kwekuteye. Magnolia, always defensively minded, might prioritize two-way players who can contribute immediately to their system.

The beauty of the PBA draft has always been its unpredictability. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a trade happens or a team reaches for a player nobody expected to go that high. What I know for certain is that this draft class has the potential to reshape multiple franchises for years to come. The talent is there, the timing is right, and with the league at something of a crossroads regarding its approach to development and gender equality, these new players could represent the next evolution of Philippine basketball.